How can I persuade school to reduce timetable for sake of dd's mental health?

[ineedakickandagin]

Just that really. I feel I am losing dd, 8, her personality has changed and her anxiety is off the scale.
I know a reduced timetable and therapeutic parenting will help. I've done it before in her infant school.
But present mainstream school won't hear of it.

If I get a letter from Gp, and from our social worker supporting me, could they be compelled to?
Why are their statistics more important than a little girls mental wellbeing?

She isn't diagnosed as we have early trauma in the mix
At the moment it is very hard. We were always very close but now she hates me, wishes I were dead. Won't go to sleep or let me near her. Won't wash or eat anything I've touched.

Long term part time timetables are illegal, whether parents agree to it or not.

Flexi schooling (which is not the same thing as part time education) is legal, but at the school's discretion, and as you have discovered many schools are reluctant.

If your DD can not cope in school full time due to her SEMH you should apply for an EHCP.

Has DD been referred to CAMHS? Have you spoken to the SENCO? What support is the school already providing?

Been on cahms waiting list for over a year, sendco has been observing on my request to apply for an echp but waiting for Ed psych to visit jan.

Provision in school- she has breaks with learning support workers or goes to the deputies office to play with play doh etc.
She is very intelligent and her anxiety stops her from learning.
Everything takes so long and in the meantime life is unbearable.
I feel I can't deregister and homeschool as I am knackered, work, and am a lone parent.

You don't need to wait for the EP, you can make a parental application for an EHCP now. An EP assessment will be part of the EHCNA.

If you go back to the GP they can get in touch with CAMHS to let them know things have deteriorated and chase the referral.

Don't deregister. It is much easier to get support when on roll somewhere.

School should be providing more support. Visual timetables, now and next board, ELSA. Some small group or 1:1 work. Going to lunch first or eating somewhere quieter. Does DD have ear defenders? Do they have a nurture group? Staff trained to deliver any kind of therapy? There's lots more school could try.

Sorry to jump on your post but I feel as if I am looking into the future reading your post ineedakickandagin. My girl is 4.5 and we are about to home school her as she is struggling even with a part time timetable (which we can do due to her not being compulsory school age yet).
I wanted to ask 10brokengreenbottles if you could advise regarding your comment to keep on roll- that it is easier to get support when on roll? Would you mind expanding on this? For my child’s mental health (huge anxiety) and the total lack of inclusive practice in her reception class, I feel that I must de register her but want to be fully aware of the implications of that. TIA

Kaktus, why don't you apply for an EHCP? Have you been referred to CAMHS? If DD is too anxious to attend school get her signed off sick. How are school supporting you and DD?

When EHE is harder to evidence DC needs more support and can not cope in MS even with support. If DC is still on roll, but e.g. signed off as too ill to attend due to their MH then you have solid evidence (and if CSA the LA then has a statutory duty to provide education). Kaktus, you have the evidence your DD can't cope even with a part time timetable (and presumably support from school?), if EHE you don't. When EHE the LA don't have to provide SEN provision, though the SENCOP says they should fund SEN needs where appropriate to do so. See IPSEA advice. For want of a better way of phrasing this when on roll DC are someone's 'problem'. They often fly under the radar when EHE.

Prior to CSA attending part time is only legal if it is because you want DC to start like that, not the school forcing it on you. Illegal, informal exclusions are still illegal whether or not parents agree.

Hi 10brokengreenbottles

I apologise for not writing sooner but I was incredibly grateful for your advice regarding my 4.5 year old and keeping her on roll.
I wondered if there is a way I could email or message you privately?
Many thanks

Of course you can PM me, Kaktus.